Noticeboard

NHS 111 is a free to call telephone service in Yorkshire, to call if you need medical help fast, but are not in a life-threatening situation - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for people who are not sure if they need to go to A&E, do not have a GP to call, or generally need reassurance and advice. Just dial 111.

The Surgery is Closed on the Afternoon for Training on the following dates:

What is a medication review?

Medication reviews are important to ensure that your medicines and doses are appropriate and that you are not experiencing any unwanted side effects. We may contact you by letter, phone call and increasingly by text message.

It is important that you attend review appointments even if you feel well and are happy with your medicines in order for the doctor to monitor your progress.

If you are asked to attend the surgery for a review then no further prescriptions will be issued until you have attended the review appointment.

If you are taking medication regularly, long-term, then the clinician may decide that you do not need to see them each time you need a new supply of medicines.

The clinician will add the medicine you need regularly to your records as a “repeat drug”, which you can order when your medicine is running low.

If you have medicines on repeat you will be issued with a “repeat request slip” attached to your prescription. If you cannot see your medication listed on the repeat list, that is because it is not on your record as a 'repeat drug'.

Using the repeat request slip

Tick the box(es) next to the prescription item you will require within the next ten days

If you do not have a spare repeat slip, a request form can be obtained and filled in at reception. Alternatively, we would accept any written request, so long as it contains all the details about your medication - name, strength, dosage.

If you are ordering dressings, catheters or ostomy bags then it is useful to the receptionist if you give the code/reference number on the form.

Your repeat request slip cannot be used to order any new items, you will have to make an appointment to see the doctor or nurse.

Before you ask for a repeat prescription, please STOP and THINK, are you still using ALL the medication on your repeat prescription? If not, then please inform the surgery.

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Changes to how to order your Repeat Prescriptions:

From 1st April 18, NHS Calderdale CCG has taken the decision to recommend that we cannot accept orders from 3rd Parties (Pharmacies, online pharmacies and medical equipment supplies).

We understand that we will have a certain cohort of patients who will need assistance with ordering their medication. The practice is working closely with local pharmacies to identify patients who should be EXEMPT.

You will now need to order your own medication.

Why this is happening:

Prevent waste through medicines being over ordered.

Reduce spend on unwanted medicine

Prevent stockpiling medicines

Put patients in control of their own medicines.

You will need to order your repeat prescriptions from Rosegarth/Siddal Surgery when you have at least 7-10 days of medicines left.

Did you know you can order online using a smartphone app or a computer? Please ask a receptionist for an online registration pack. You will need to show photographic ID & proof of address in order to obtain access and password.

Requests must be in writing and may be submitted online, in person, by post or by fax.

We DO NOT take requests for prescriptions over the telephone, as mistakes are too easily made. Please allow two full working days between request and collection. We are happy to post prescriptions if a SAE is provided.

Many pharmacies offer medicines collection and delivery services. Ask your pharmacist for more information. If you wish the prescription to be sent directly to the pharmacy then please indicate the appropriate pharmacy on the request form.

In May 2014 we introduced Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). EPS means we can send your prescription electronically to the chemist of your choice. Please contact the practice to let us know your preferred chemist. EPS saves money, time and the environment.

After receiving items on repeat prescription for a length of time, the doctor may request that you make an appointment to attend the surgery for a medication review with either a doctor or a nurse.

We require two full working days for the safe preparation of your prescription, provided your request reaches us before 4 pm. Please collect you prescription after 2 pm.

IMPORTANT information regarding ORDERING PRESCRIPTIONS

SORRY WE DO NOT TAKE REQUESTS TO ORDER PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE

In order to make our prescription service safer the receptionists do not take requests for prescriptions over the telephone. All requests for prescriptions will need to be made:

Online – please ask the receptionist for information about registering to use this service

In Writing – Using your re-order slip or full written details (including dose & quantity) you can bring this to the surgery, post it to us or fax it on 01422 349621

Prescription request forms are available in surgery and to download from our website

The reasons for this are as follows:

The most important reason is that it is safer. Some telephone messages to the surgery are not clear and can involve a great deal of time and effort in checking and chasing up correct drug details and the correct dosages.

This system will reduce the number of phone calls to the surgery. It will be easier for patients phoning for appointments, advice or in urgent need of help to get through.

To improve confidentiality on the main reception desk, and allow the receptionist to be more available to patients in the surgery.

To bring us in line with national guidance regarding safer prescribing.

The receptionists at the surgery for a number of years have not been able to take requests for repeat medication over the phone, so please think ahead and order in plenty of time, leaving at least 2 working days for the prescription to be processed.

This system has been successfully in place at our surgeries for a number of years and as a result we aim to provide a safer and more accessible service for you all.

If you are housebound and are not able to use any other prescription request method shown above, please let the receptionist know. They will discuss your situation with your doctor, and find a suitable solution.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs), see Help With Health Costs

Telephone advice and order line 0300 330 1341

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the Prescription Cost

Changes to products available on prescription

NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has recommended that GPs stop routinely prescribing branded medicines and a number of lower value, self-care products, which are widely available to buy without a prescription from pharmacies and supermarkets, including:

Baby milks

Infant colic products

Vitamin supplements

Emollients (moisturisers) for minor dry skin conditions

Cosmetic products, including eflornithine for facial hair

Antifungal nail paints

Sunscreen productsBy not routinely prescribing these self-care treatments the NHS in Calderdale could save £300,000 each year, while £100,000 is spent every year on prescribing branded medicines without a medical reason, where a non-branded (generic) medicine containing the same active ingredient would be as effective.

Exceptions

While a number of self-care products are no-longer available on prescription, there are exceptions in which these treatments can be prescribed:

This decision has been made following public opinion and feedback gathered in our public consultation: Changing the way we prescribe in Calderdale, which ran from 16 October – 4 December 2017.

Increasing demand for NHS services, as well as the effects of national austerity measures, means that the organisation must make difficult, but clinically-led, decisions to ensure that the money available can meet the health needs of people in Calderdale.

Baby milks and formula for infants diagnosed with cows’ milk protein allergy, specialist metabolic disorders, for premature and other infants on the recommendation of a paediatric dietician/paediatrician where feeds are not readily available.

Vitamins for a diagnosed vitamin deficiencies and following weight loss surgery.

Emollients for patients with diagnosed psoriasis or eczema, foot care in diabetic patients, lymphoedema and to prevent skin ulceration in fragile patients.

Sunscreen for patients diagnosed with abnormal reactions to sunlight.

Branded medicines may still be prescribed where there is a clinical reason. For example some medicines for epilepsy need to be prescribed by brand. The CCG will also prescribe by brand where this is cost effective or recommended by local and national guidelines.

If you or someone you care for uses the same medicines regularly, you may be able to benefit from electronic repeat prescriptions. This means you won't have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP practice every time you need more medicine.

Step 1

Talk to your GP or the person who prescribes your medicines and ask them if you can use electronic repeat prescriptions. Your prescriber will usually be your doctor or practice nurse.

If your prescriber thinks that you could use electronic repeat prescriptions for your regular medicines, they will ask you for permission to share information about your treatment with your pharmacist. This will help your pharmacist to give your prescriber feedback about your treatment and provide you with useful advice.

Your GP or prescriber will then authorise a number of electronic repeat prescriptions. This will be based on your circumstances and clinical need. These electronic repeat prescriptions will then be supplied to you by your pharmacy at regular intervals.

Step 2

Collect your first electronic repeat prescription from your pharmacy.

Step 3

When you need more medicines, go back to your pharmacy. Before dispensing the next issue of your prescription, your pharmacy will ask:

have you seen any health professionals (GP, nurse or hospital doctor), since your last repeat prescription was supplied?

have you recently started taking any new medicines - either on prescription or that you have bought over the counter?

have you been having any problems with your medication or experiencing any side effects?

are there any items on your repeat prescription that you don't need this month?

If you don't need all of the medicines on your prescription, let the pharmacy staff know, so that they only supply the medicines you need. This will help to reduce waste and save the NHS money.

Step 4

When your pharmacy supplies your final electronic repeat prescription in the series that your GP has authorised, they will advise you to contact your GP practice. Your doctor or practice nurse may want to see you to review your medication before they will authorise more electronic repeat prescriptions.